Painted Horses

I was skeptical based on the trailer, I thought maybe it's too cheesy even for me and I wasn't crazy on the plot (teacher needs to win problematic kids), but it really is an heartwarming movie.

I came to care for the teacher and kids characters. They don't feel stereotypical to me when it dwells into their characters and their developing bond with the teacher feels genuine.

This film, while not a high-budget blockbuster, is a very nicely told story set in a small town area. My wife and I found it to be a very good movie.

A single woman (Madelyn Deutch) moves in with her aunt in Paris, Tennessee, to teach history at the local school where her students are so problematic she's tempted to quit. The class is forced to meet at a KOA office due to flooding problems at the school wherein Ms. Hoog decides to send the kids on treasure hunts to learn about local history. But this stirs the ire of the biddies on the school board. Linc Hand is on hand as her potential beau.

"Painted Horses" (2017) is one of those super low-budget movies by indie filmmakers who want to take advantage of their beloved local region, like "The Legend of Tillamook's Gold" (2006) and "Falcon Song" (2014). The production quality of these flicks isn't quite up to the standards of TV movies, which doesn't mean they have no worth. You just have to be braced for a movie of this caliber.

These indies usually run anywhere from $50,000-$150,000, give or take, depending on how much was spent on cast, lodging, catering, travel and so forth. "Another Kind" (2013) was made for $120,000 and is a superb example of how a professional-class film can be made for this kind of micro-budget. Even spare-change flicks, like "A Bothered Conscience," which only cost $2300, can be effective if the filmmaker & crew are talented enough and make use of their resources efficiently.

So how does "Painted Horses" stack up? The classroom scenes in the first half hour are weak and seriously tempted me to tune out. The kids with attitudes lay it on too thick and come off contrived and unconvincing. Yet "The Breakfast Club" (1985) had the same problem and it was a blockbuster, so this can be forgiven. Thankfully, the movie improves in the second half as the teacher gets to know the students and they turn out to be human beings. A little bit o' "Dead Poets Society" (1989) is naturally included in the mix.

There's no problem with the main actors, that is, Deutch, Hand, Deana Carter (Aunt Nora) and Tommy Cresswell (the principal); they all heartily rise to the challenge and give it their best. There are predictable elements but, nevertheless, I found the ending heartwarming.

The film runs 1 hour, 31 minutes, and was shot in Paris, Tennessee.

GRADE: C

Having worked with educators for the last 25+ years I know how important it is to validate their work. So many people throw stones when they aren't teaching their kids themselves. This movie shows what a teacher goes through to inspire her kids. I found it to be fun, inspiring and heart warming. I also love horses so that was a plus!! Of course it is cornball, like a Lifetime or Hallmark movie, but that is the genre. I immediately emailed it to my daughter in law who is a very progressive teacher. If you want something uplofting, this is a good choice.

I wouldn't wish this fiasco on anyone ... its poorly acted and played like some writer's high school fantasy that he couldn't make come true ... it does bring to bear the problems with small town school boards and narrow minded people ...